The Travel Writer's Handbook by Louise Purwin Zobel and Jacqueline Harmon Butler (Surrey Books, 2007, $18.95 U.S.) is a classic guide on how to become a travel writer and sell what is written. The sixth version of the book is the latest that bears Zobel's name, she died in 2008 at the age of 86. The tips and advice in the book give a realistic picture of the preparation involved in writing and selling travel articles. Zobel's advice on conducting thorough market research to find new travel writing assignments is invaluable. In an age when press trips are dwindling and writers are scrambling to scrounge up money for trips, Zobel discusses the need to slant articles to a variety of markets. The Travel Writer's Handbook gives explicit examples for using research from one trip for a variety of different publications, from craft magazine to magazines that focus on history.
Taking Notes When Travel Writing
What is important to document? How to get the most information out of a press trip? Zobel's handbook includes a chapter that helps writers capture stories while traveling that will help them to write an article worthy of publication in a regional or national magazine. Novice travel writers can use the handbook as a guide to learn how to write with their senses instead of merely writing weak, empty text.
Writing Travel Articles
Zobel details how after her own trips, she researched details for articles on little-known topics. All of her work was conducted through trips to the library, interviews, and leads from friends. In this revised edition of the original Travel Writers Handbook, which was first published in the 80s, Zobel mentions online queries and online research for information. This writing sections explains how travel writers often have to backtrack , research, and write an entire article based on a germ of information acquired during a trip. She thoughtfully explains how one lead led to the next until she eventually found the information she needed to write credible travel article on a topic that she had no knowledge of prior to writing the article.
Markets for Travel Articles
Zobel tells travel writers to find out what readers want to know and give them the information before they realize its value. In other words, travel writers should market unique ideas that will appeal to readers and be the first to query the ideas. Her advice gives aspiring travel writers the tools that they need to market articles to outlets that they would not have otherwise thought of approaching. She notes that professional writers know where they plan to sell their work before they begin writing, and that each article should be targeted to a specific market. Instead of selling articles to websites, the book mentions selling to online providers like Earthlink or AOL. The book also mentions selling CDs of copy, which is becoming more and more obsolete every day.
Tax Write-offs for Travel Writers
Finally, the guide discusses possible tax deductions that a travel writer may take. Although the handbook does not get very specific, it mentions basic guidelines to determine whether or not a travel writer can deduct all or some expenses that are related to his or her work.
The handbook is an invaluable guide to new writers, and it is written with aspiring writers in mind. Although more experienced writers may find that some points in the book are too elementary, there are a few tips and suggestions that could make travel writing easier for more advanced writers who have been published in top glossies.
Title: The Travel Writer's Handbook
Authors: Louise Purwin Zobel and Jacqueline Harmon Butler
Publisher: Surrey Books, 2007
ISBN: 13-978-1-57284-084-3
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